Resorts Begin Opening Slopes for Ski Season

It may be mid-October, but the ski season is beginning. Resorts in the Northeast are announcing that trails will be open this weekend.

Vermont's Killington resort has become the first winter resort in the east to open for the 2013-14 season. The ski mountain began making snow on Tuesday and by Friday between seven and eight hundred season pass holders were on the slopes. Killington opens officially to the public Saturday for advanced and expert skiers and riders on its Rime Trail. President Mike Solimano says it is an early opening, but recalls that it’s not as early as last year.

Killington aims to have the longest season among eastern winter resorts. Skirack Manager Joe Bekaert says Killingon’s opening is a signal that ski season is here and they begin to see a surge influx of business.

Vermont League of Cities and Towns Executive Director Steven Jeffrey notes that the state’s economy is dependent on tourism, winter sports in particular. But with the unpredictable nature of ski seasons, surrounding businesses and communities find that the earlier resorts can open the better it is for the bottom line.

The early season skiing at Killington Saturday, according to Mike Solimano, will be on a base of 2 to 3 feet of snow on 2 trails.

Sunday River Ski Resort in Maine has also announced that it will open two trails for skiing and snowboarding this weekend.

Related Content

Joseph Sargent, a co-founder of Vermont's Killington ski area has died, 56 years after he helped begin the process that led to the opening of the resort that is now the largest ski area in the eastern United States.

Sargent died Wednesday in West Hartford, Conn. He was 83. The cause of death was not released.

In 1956 Sargent worked with Preston Leete Smith to found the Sherburne Corp., which carved the resort out of the Calvin Coolidge State Forest in what was then the town of Sherburne.

A forecasted heavy winter storm is good news for area ski resorts and winter sports enthusiasts.

The winter storm that is expected to bring up to a foot and a half of snow to the region is coming during a key weekend for ski resorts. The Christmas to New Year holiday week accounts for substantial revenues, and Mad River Glen Spokesman Eric Friedman says a deep natural snowfall will bring more skiiers to the slopes.